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Today in History – April 5, 1962 – 1962 Neil Armstrong takes X-15 to 54,600m

Neil Armstrong and the X-15 by Bob van der Linden, Posted on Tue, July 23, 2019, Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum “Released from duty in mid-1952, Armstrong returned to Purdue where he earned his degree in aeronautical engineering in 1955. His love of flight and engineering drew him to the National Advisory

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Mason, Richard A.

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  • Mason, Richard A.

Richard A. Mason

Preferred Name: Dick
Date of Birth: December 12, 1934
Highest Military Grade: 0-6 – Colonel
Hometown: Mt. Vernon, MO
Biography
Pilot Information

“I never willingly stopped flying. In civilian life, I owned a number of neat airplanes–my favorite, a 1939 Waco ZKS-7.

In 2008, reluctantly due to health reasons, I sold my last plane and finally stopped flying at age 73.

I miss it greatly.”

Units Assigned

6/3/1959 Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, USAF Academy, CO
8/1959-8/1960 USAF Pilot Training (Distinguished Graduate)
9/1960-3/1961 F-100 Pilot Training, Luke AFB, AZ
3/1961-8/1961 F-100 Pilot Training, Nellis AFB, NV
8/1961-8/1964 308 TFS & 309 TFS/31st TFW, George AFB, CA & Homestead AFB, FL (F-100)
9/1964 -2/1966 Aide to 9th Air Force Commander, Shaw AFB, SC
3/1966-6/1966 615 TFS, England AFB, LA (F-100)
7/1966 -7/1967 615TFS, Phan Rang AB, Viet Nam (F-100 – 309 combat missions)
8/1967-1/1968 Forward Air Controller, 82nd Airborne Division, Ft. Bragg, NC
2/1968-8/1970 Graduate Student, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
9/1970-6/1973 HQ TAC Action Officer, Contingency/Exercise Plans Directorate, Langley AFB, VA
7/1973-7/1974 Student, Naval War College, Newport, RI
8/1974-7/1976 Commander, AFROTC Detachment 930, University of Wisconsin, Superior, WI
8/1976-6/1979 347th TFW, Assistant Director of Operations, Director of Operations & Vice Wing Commander,  Moody AFB, GA (F-4)
6/30/1979 Retired USAF

Awards & Decorations

Flight Info

F-100
F-4

Military & Civilian Education

Military Education:

  • 1959 BS, USAF Academy
  • First Graduating Class Naval War College

Civilian Education:

  • University of Missouri, Mechanical Engineering, 2 years
  • Arizona State University, MS, Industrial Engineering/Operations Research, Alpha PI Mu National Honor Society

Wall of Honor Location

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